Panlilio seeks reelection in Pampanga, Church dispensation

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio has filed a petition asking the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy to allow him to leave the priesthood to be able to protect the Church from politics as he seeks reelection.

Panlilio filed his certificate of candidacy for governor on Tuesday night, paving a rematch with former Board Member Lilia Pineda.

Pineda has a pending recount case against Panlilio, contesting the results of the 2007 elections.

Panlilio, now the Liberal Party chair in Pampanga, said he was forced to seek another term to prevent what he called as “danger” posed by the candidacies of Pineda and her running mate, Vice Governor Joseller Guiao, on the gains of the good governance crusade that he and his supporters mounted when he was elected in 2007.

Panlilio’s running mate is Marco Lazatin, son of the late Jesus Lazatin, a philanthropist and prominent Pampanga businessman engaged in the sugar and power industries.